The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
HORNETS HOLD OFF GRITTY WICKLIFFE
Extra-time strike sends Kirtland back to Division III district final, to face Berkshire
NFL Films always taught us the autumn wind is a Raider. But with apologies to the late John Facenda, in a Division III district semifinal as Kirtland hosted Wickliffe, the autumn wind was a Hornet.
Through the winds of change two years removed from its signature DIII state final four run and the gusts that howled throughout against a gritty and determined Blue Devils side, the bluster here was a sigh of relief and a strength of current onto a stage with which they’re familiar.
Jenna Sayle’s strike 26 seconds into extra time sent Kirtland to a
2-1 win Oct. 23. The Hornets (114-3) will take on unbeaten Berkshire, a 2-1 winner over Independence, in a D-III district final Oct. 26 at Cuyahoga Heights.
Heading into this match, Kirtland was 10-0 all-time against Wickliffe (14-4) with a 49-1 goal differential. To the Blue Devils’ credit, the barrier was tougher to break for the Hornets this time. But they found a way.
“We talked about it, both at halftime and when we came back over to start the overtime,” Kirtland coach Ed Bradac said. “Again, we’re used to playing on such a wide field, but to Wickliffe’s credit, they crowded us and we weren’t smarter to take it wider more often. As soon as we did, we were obviously much more of a threat.
“The whole idea is you win and you advance. That’s all we’re looking to do.”
Barely into extra time in a 1-1 match, Hornets sophomore Lidia Rodin went on a pacey run wide left and crossed near post for Sayle. The junior midfielder got a touch for her fourth goal — and suffice to say her most vital — of 2017.
“This is great,” Sayle said. “We’re definitely super excited to be moving on. When we first played Wickliffe (a 6-0 win Sept. 18), it wasn’t the same kind of game. But I think in a tournament, when you’re fighting to move on, everything changes. They’re a great team. They’re playing hard. We’re playing hard, too. And we’re glad to be moving on.”
Wickliffe played an efficient counterattack and kept a solid defensive shape, taking a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. Senior midfielder Nicole Carroscia took a right-footed
inswinger that snuck in upper-90 — her second goal of the fall.
It snapped an eightmatch scoreless skid for the Blue Devils against the Hornets and was their first goal scored in the sides’ series since Sept. 15, 2009.
Lauren Lutz grabbed an equalizer for Kirtland in the 32nd minute. The Hornets had a pair of close calls late in regulation, a Maya Zovko strike in the 73rd and a Hannah Vouk effort off a Rodin cross in the 77th, before seeing out the result in extra time.
Wickliffe hung in admirably in perhaps its best postseason performance in program history, much to the delight of longtime coach Steve Gribovicz.
“I am very proud of this group,” Gribovicz said. “Going into this game, the coaching staff believed that we could hang with any team on our schedule — didn’t matter who it was. And Kirtland included. We knew they were going to bring a very strong effort — they do year in and year out.
“We gave them our best shot. They gave us their best shot. And this group all believed in each other, which really means a lot. But as far as coaching goes, and you saw it on the field, they never gave up on each other. They had a lead against Kirtland, took them to overtime. And the effort was there all game long. I am very proud of this group.”